Greater LA Regional Office
EdTrust-West has deepened local relationships in Los Angeles County for over two decades and continues its commitment by opening an office in the Greater Los Angeles region in 2023. Los Angeles has one of the largest and most diverse student populations in the nation, with nearly 2 million TK–12 students and undergraduates. With this unique influence, LA has both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead the state and the nation in advancing educational equity.
EdTrust-West’s Greater Los Angeles office works to improve schools by centering Black, Latinx, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native American, multilingual learner, and low-income communities. We help people understand the challenges students face by sharing clear data, research, and stories that show where inequities exist and why they matter.
We believe that coordinating with families, community groups, educators, and local partners is essential to creating sustainable, actionable change. By helping to break down silos among people, community-led organizations, and elected officials, we can improve schools and expand opportunities for students.
Greater LA Regional Office
EdTrust-West’s Greater Los Angeles office advances education equity across the region by working alongside partners, coalitions, and community members, especially those from Black, Latinx, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native American, multilingual learner, and low-income communities.
We provide data, research, and expertise that inform decision-making, shape legislation, and equip advocates with ways to expand access to education. Our work focuses on advancing inclusive school policies, strengthening teacher diversity, and expanding pathways to college and career success.
Building What We Deserve
We present a bold vision to reimagine education across Greater Los Angeles, from transitional kindergarten (TK) through college, so that every student can truly thrive.
We focus on policy issues aligned with EdTrust-West’s policy agenda and strategic plan.
The Need
Representation matters in the classroom. Students perform better when they see themselves reflected in their educators. However, in LA County, 86% of TK–12 public school students are students of color, compared to just 57% of teachers who identify as teachers of color. This highlights a deep divide between students and the educator workforce.
Inequities in opportunity continue to shape student outcomes. In LA County, only 3 in 10 Black students and 4 in 10 Latinx and Pacific Islander students, have the support needed to reach grade-level proficiency in English Language Arts.
Currently, too many high schools are failing to prepare students of color for college. In LA County, nearly half of Black students (47%), Latinx students (45%), and Pacific Islander students (47%) do not complete the requirements needed to apply to a UC or CSU.
Our Vision in Action
Integrating Systems for Student Success
To fully support student success, we must align our systems to meet them at every step of their educational journey. We can do that by:
- Using clear data to understand and respond to the specific needs of students of color, multilingual learners, parenting students, and students experiencing poverty.
- Strengthening partnerships across TK–12 schools, community colleges, and public four‑year universities so institutions are equipped to serve a diverse student population.
Removing Barriers to College Access and Success
All students deserve a real chance to pursue education beyond high school. That requires removing obstacles that limit access to and completion of college. Some ways we can make this a reality:
- Making A-G coursework the standard and ensuring schools provide the support students need to complete it successfully.
- Expanding access to dual enrollment programs embedded within postsecondary institutions, enabling more high school students to earn college credit and broaden their career pathways.
- Reducing barriers to financial aid and providing targeted support for students of color and students experiencing poverty.
Building a Teacher Workforce Reflective of Greater LA
Students thrive when their educators share their backgrounds and understand their experiences. Local leaders must invest in a more diverse and supportive educator workforce by:
- Creating strong pathways into teaching for individuals who reflect the racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of the students they serve.
- Expanding and funding educator preparation programs that support candidates of color and multilingual candidates.
- Providing incentives, mentorship, and ongoing support to recruit and retain educators of color and multilingual educators, especially in high-need schools.
- Fostering inclusive school environments by investing in leadership development and professional learning focused on culturally responsive and anti-racist practices.
Adopting Race-Conscious Policies and Practices
To create schools and colleges where every student can succeed, education systems must intentionally address long‑standing inequities. Some ways we’re looking to do that include:
- Providing direct resources such as funding, targeted investments, and academic and social-emotional support where disparities are greatest.
- Taking a deep dive into opportunity gaps and committing to real changes, including educational reparations for Black students.
- Adopting high-quality, culturally affirming instruction that centers students’ diverse identities, cultures, and lived experiences.
- Engaging parents and caregivers of color as partners in creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments.
Four Ways You Can Support Education Equity
Invite an expert in education policy to sit on a panel or deliver a workshop by using this form.
Individuals can make a gift on our donation page. Institutional partners interested in regional funding or sponsorship opportunities are encouraged to contact Dr. Mayra A. Lara at [email protected].
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Valued Partners
- ACLU Southern California
- Alliance for a Better Community
- Black Educators Advocates Network
- CA3 (CA Afterschool Advocacy Alliance)
- CADRE
- California Black Power Network
- California Education Promise Alliance
- CalWorks Association
- Catalyst California
- Charting the Course to Equity Coalition
- Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project
- Communities In Schools of Los Angeles (CISLA)
- Community Coalition
- Consortium for English Learner Success
- Diversity in Leadership Institute
- Families In Schools
- Grand Performances
- GPSN
- Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation
- Green Dot Public Schools
- HOPE
- InnerCity Struggle
- Innovate Public Schools
- Kid City Hope Place
- Los Angeles Unified School District
- Los Angeles County Office of Education
- Los Angeles Urban League
- Loyola Marymount University
- Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE)
- Partnership for Children & Youth
- Reclaim Our Schools LA
- Southern California College Attainment Network
- Students Deserve
- The Foundation for the Los Angeles Community Colleges
- Dr. David C. Turner III, UCLA
- UNITE-LA
- United Parents and Students
- United Way of Greater Los Angeles
- Watts of Power Foundation
